The sharpener is more important than the knife IMO. No matter what knife you get, it's gonna get dull regardless of the steel. Get the sharpmaker, and watch the DVD. As for the knife, I've got some decent budget folders from my local Wally World. Kershaw of any kind would always be my first pick for a good budget folder with crkt and buck right behind them. Kershawguy has some good deals on kershaw blems such as the blur, which is an outstanding knife for the price. Most people can't even find the blemish on most of the blems he sells. If you shop online, the budget folders to choose from are unlimited. Rat 1/2, utilitac, tenacious,opinel,the list goes on and on. Learn to use the sharpmaker and pick what knife fits and suits your taste best is my advice. That's the fun of it, and after that you'll be hooked and spending hundreds on knives before you know it. Welcome to the nuthouse.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
New to folding knife world... where do I start?
- Thread starter Parill125
- Start date
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 3,618
+1 to the last few posts.
If you get hit with the knife bug, and I assume you will since you're on BF, then pick up a Sharpmaker.
The knife you end up getting right now will most likely be irrelevant soon. You will want something different, better, before you know it...
Learn to sharpen. All knives get dull....
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2011
- Messages
- 6,194
Another vote for a Swiss Army Knife (SAK.) One of the best EDC utility folders you can buy, imo. Affordable, proven design, quality construction, many different tool options and sizes to choose from. They're pretty people-friendly, too. The tool blades can spare your cutting edge a lot of unnecessary wear and tear. Got a pebble stuck in the tread of your shoe? Dig it out with the awl or driver!
SAKs are easily sharpened using the bottom of a coffee mug (there are demo vids on YouTube that will show ya how) and stropped on a bit o' cardboard for that extra hair-popping edge. Doesn't get much cheaper than that! :thumbup:
Try a SAK. Even if you eventually save up and buy a fancy modern locking one-hander with a pocket clip somewhere down the road, I'll bet that SAK rides shotgun...
Victorinox Pioneer (top) and Cadet in silver alox
Good luck, OP!
-Brett
SAKs are easily sharpened using the bottom of a coffee mug (there are demo vids on YouTube that will show ya how) and stropped on a bit o' cardboard for that extra hair-popping edge. Doesn't get much cheaper than that! :thumbup:
Try a SAK. Even if you eventually save up and buy a fancy modern locking one-hander with a pocket clip somewhere down the road, I'll bet that SAK rides shotgun...
Victorinox Pioneer (top) and Cadet in silver alox
Good luck, OP!
-Brett
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,426
I agree with this sentiment - I always have a Victorinox Waiter in my left front pocket, and honestly, it is my most regularly used knife. I cut up and apple and or pear every day at work for my snack using the Vic. I have owned it for going on 15 years. It's part of the family now. ;^)
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2001
- Messages
- 4,608
I think Victorinox One Hand Trekker will be good for general use described. One hand blade opener, saw (camping needs some wood work?), and other tools that saves the knife blade from abuse (flat screwdriver is locking & a much better prybar).
And the sharpmaker is a good learning tool. It will also work with the serration of the Trekker (not sure if the model comes also with full plain edge)
Welcome and good luck!
And the sharpmaker is a good learning tool. It will also work with the serration of the Trekker (not sure if the model comes also with full plain edge)
Welcome and good luck!
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2011
- Messages
- 1,283
You know, everybody is talking guided systems here. A good doublesided stone and a strip isn't a bad idea and won't cost too much. Sandpaper would be even less. Freehanding isn't too hard to learn with a sharpie.
And thank you everyone for your recommendations. I'll try to gather all the input and make a spreadsheet with prices and overall ratings, etc. (yeah, im a spreadsheet kinda guy haha) I'll report back my finds/decision within a week or two! Hoping to have my knife and sharpmaker by mid June for a camping trip!
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 3,618
I started with stone's and butchered a lot of edges!!
I think it's better to start with a Sharpmaker, learn the fundamentals with that (it's not as easy as Sal's video makes it look, and not all knives are right on 30 or 40 degrees inclusive)
Then go to stones, which is what I am now starting to go back to.
Just my humble opinion and experience....
Look at Cold Steels for sure, they are excellent hard use blades. Namely the Recon 1 and Code 4. The Tri-Ad lock is amazing.
[video=youtube;moGVez5gc5k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moGVez5gc5k[/video]
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2013
- Messages
- 6,784
For an outdoor camping trip folder would also say get a Recon 1 or maybe a used Griptilian if you can find one. As for sharpening equipment all i have and use is DMT Dia- Fold or Dia-Sharp but mostly use the Dia-fold. Fine/Extra Fine. The fine on there is very coarse enough to where i can sharpen any steel i have fast and easily. Just gotta get the right angles. Never had much luck with guided sharpening systems so i just said screw this gonna figure out how to free hand. It's so simple you"ll kick yourself for not figuring it out sooner. It's just making the bevel and then a micro bevel. There's no steel i can't get shaving sharp with the DMT FINE/EXtra fine Dia-fold. It will fit in your pocket and you can take it anywhere. Have a DMT stone on my keychain also. I also strop once in awhile. But for a great camping knife that will do it all under $50 would get a Recon 1. Maybe also Buck Vantage Pro. The DMT Dia Fold is around $25. Or maybe get a Utilitac II and the DMT DIa-fold for under $50. But the Recon is a heavy duty knife more so than Utilitac. But both good. There's so many choices anything listed from anyone on here will be a good choice. Learning to sharpen is very crucial with cheaper knives/steels though.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2014
- Messages
- 1,495
I would echo a lot of the thoughts posted so far, a Sharpmaker is a good tool to have, even thought that's not how I started. As to the knife, I love the LEEK, I have several and they are a great slender bladed folder. This makes them great for piercing and slicing, but less so for things like skinning an animal, or powerful cutting tasks. Oddly enough the LEEK is great for field dressing critters, just the wrong shape of blade for skinning. I don't know what your needs are for camping, but I would seriously consider the recommendation for a Bob Dozier folder.
Good luck with your choice, and welcome to the addiction.
Good luck with your choice, and welcome to the addiction.
- Joined
- May 25, 2013
- Messages
- 3,700
Yahoo! I won!!
. Hehe. You will love the sharpmaker. Honestly, I have gotten many more hours of satisfaction out of my sm than I have from any single knife. And once you become proficient you will be shocked with the results you can achieve. You'll be able to get any knife you own beyond razor ladle sharp. Enjoy!P.S. As far as an affordable introductory knife I would agree with the many others who have suggested the Spyderco Tenacious. A lot of folks started with that one and I doubt any of them are sorry for it. Excellent knife for the price.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 647
Opinel, kershaws, budget spydercos, ontario rat 1 or 2.
Get a smiths 3-in-1 sharpening system for $22. Gots a diamond hone & ceramic rods
Get a smiths 3-in-1 sharpening system for $22. Gots a diamond hone & ceramic rods
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2013
- Messages
- 1,337
The demonstrations Cold Steel does are impressive, but the but is they are like TV reality show. Scripted, and rehearsed. I wonder if you could duplicate them at home?
Also I wonder if some of the props like the ropes are off the shelf, or they have been prep with say glue so the strands stay together for the demo?
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2013
- Messages
- 6,784
Recon 1 was one of the first knives i've ever bought. There's nothing in that video i think is staged at all. I truely believe everything shown is completely possible with the Recon 1 granted the big guy standing on it is sorta decieveing cause it looks more impressive than it is cause he has his foot pressed against the board more in front of handle and holding on to back of board with his hands taking pressure off the knife. But it still happened. All the rope cutting and all that i completely believe. I have more expensive better steel and designed knives but still carry my Cold Steel folders quite often. Have been carrying Holdout II alot recently. Next time i decide to beat on a knife think i'll bring Recon 1 and see if i can do the same things in the video. I cut down this 8 in. tree with the Adamas and i think i'll try the same thing with Recon when get a chance and energy. Might need a sharpener to finish the whole tree though. The Adamas was in perfect condition after getting it down still very sharp. But i think the Recon could hold up to almost the same abuse but just need to be sharpened probably.Very strong lock on both. For me Cold Steel's Aus 8 stays sharp for a descent amount of time. Better than other Aus 8 like on Utilitac and Junglee i've used.
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
Might need a sharpener to finish the whole tree though. The Adamas was in perfect condition after getting it down still very sharp. But i think the Recon could hold up to almost the same abuse but just need to be sharpened probably.Very strong lock on both. For me Cold Steel's Aus 8 stays sharp for a descent amount of time. Better than other Aus 8 like on Utilitac and Junglee i've used.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2013
- Messages
- 1,337
Recon 1 was one of the first knives i've ever bought. There's nothing in that video i think is staged at all. I truely believe everything shown is completely possible with the Recon 1 granted the big guy standing on it is sorta decieveing cause it looks more impressive than it is cause he has his foot pressed against the board more in front of handle and holding on to back of board with his hands taking pressure off the knife. But it still happened. All the rope cutting and all that i completely believe. I have more expensive better steel and designed knives but still carry my Cold Steel folders quite often. Have been carrying Holdout II alot recently. Next time i decide to beat on a knife think i'll bring Recon 1 and see if i can do the same things in the video. I cut down this 8 in. tree with the Adamas and i think i'll try the same thing with Recon when get a chance and energy.
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
My line of work was editorial photography, my buddies speciality was food & beverage product ads. Trust me what he did was dress the props to make you want to buy them.
He could make simple things say buy me. So if you want to make your point go out and duplicate the Cold Steel demo with off the shelve items.
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2013
- Messages
- 6,784
"""""My line of work was editorial photography, my buddies speciality was food & beverage product ads. Trust me what he did was dress the props to make you want to buy them.
He could make simple things say buy me. So if you want to make your point go out and duplicate the Cold Steel demo with off the shelve items.""""""""
Like i said i will. I didn't find anything in the video to be that overly impressive anyways. What did you not believe could be done in the video?
He could make simple things say buy me. So if you want to make your point go out and duplicate the Cold Steel demo with off the shelve items.""""""""
Like i said i will. I didn't find anything in the video to be that overly impressive anyways. What did you not believe could be done in the video?